Manta Ray Of Hope

About

Manta Ray of Hope is the only concerted global effort working to save mantas and mobulas from unsustainable trade.

: Mary O'Malley

The Manta Ray of Hope team is developing global conservation campaigns based on sound science to reduce demand for gill rakers, secure legal protection and establish mobulid sanctuaries. Our consumer education and awareness campaigns include collecting never-before seen footage and images for videos and brochures that expose the dangers that mobulids face, as well as working with local communities to show them the importance of preserving their natural resources.

We are also working to secure legal protection for mobulids by enacting trade bans on manta and mobula parts as well as establishing protections through the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species and Regional Fishery Management Organizations. It is vital that we protect our remaining manta populations before it is too late, and the Manta Ray of Hope Project, in collobaration with our Shark Sanctuaries campaign, is working to establish manta sanctuaries and promoting ecotourism as alternatives to the gill raker trade so that future generations will be able to see the beauty of manta and mobula rays.

2011

Manta and Mobula gill raker trade exposed. Shark Savers exposed the growing trade in manta and mobula gill rakerswith the productionof the Manta Ray of Hope, a film showcasing the devastating impacts on these vulnerable animals.

First-ever report on the destruction of mobulids produced. Shark Savers produced the first comprehensive report on the destructive fishing and consumption of mobulidsand their economic value to tourism with the publication of the Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays report and film.

Manta birostris given protection under the Convention on Migratory Species. Shark Savers helped pass the first international measure to protect manta rays at the meeting of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). We worked with members of our scientific advisory team to provide evidence to the Ecuadorian government and CMS delegates, including a condensed version of the Global Threat to Manta and Mobula Rays report, in support of Ecuador’s proposals to list Manta birostris on Appendices I and II of the CMS Convention.

Report on the economic value of manta rays to tourism produced. Shark Savers produced a report detailing the economic value of manta rays to tourism versus fisheries in Indonesia to provide a strong incentive for the Indonesian government to protect manta rays.

The trade of manta and mobula ray parts banned in Guam. Shark Savers worked with a partner NGO to have manta and mobula ray parts included in the shark fin trade ban enacted in Guam in February 2011.

2010

Manta and mobula ray sanctuary created in Indonesia. Shark Savers succeeded in having protection of manta and mobula rays included in the Raja Ampat shark sanctuary decree announced in October 2010.